[FelicityR]

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MP Pairs. West led ♥AKQ, East petering to show 4, and then West switched to ♣8 covered by 9, J and Ace. How did my partner continue?

[smerriman]

My stab - if we play a trump, East will probably win, return a singleton spade, and get a spade ruff.

So that just leaves playing a spade and hoping West doesn't win and return a second one.

As for which one.. leading 2 to the K doesn't help as we'd still have 2 spade losers if it wins. Leading 2 to the 8, running the 9 or 10, or leading the Q all work if West has AJxxx (and doesn't play Ace and another).

Playing the Q has the added bonus over the rest that if West wins, East may drop a singleton Jack.. but then West would probably know to give a ruff. So I can't really see any difference between the options. More advanced players can enlighten me

[FelicityR]

smerriman, on 2017-March-23, 16:06, said:

My stab - if we play a trump, East will probably win, return a singleton spade, and get a spade ruff.

So that just leaves playing a spade and hoping West doesn't win and return a second one.

As for which one.. leading 2 to the K doesn't help as we'd still have 2 spade losers if it wins. Leading 2 to the 8, running the 9 or 10, or leading the Q all work if West has AJxxx (and doesn't play Ace and another).

My partner did indeed lead the 2 to the 8 which held, eliminating the ♠ ruff. I personally thought that leading and running the ♠10 was preferable and makes it slightly more difficult for West to put up the ace and provide partner with a ruff.

[Phil]

Yes this is old, effective trick.

[cherdano]

I don't like running the 10. If you lead low, LHO has to duck if his partner has Tx(x). When does he have to duck if declarer leads the T?

[nullve]

Phil, on 2017-March-23, 17:06, said:

Yes this is old, effective trick.

But one I can't remember having seen before. Very nice!